MovieChat Forums > Ellen: The Ellen DeGeneres Show (2003) Discussion > Diversity does not include fat people

Diversity does not include fat people

posted 8 years ago by gibsonx131
6 replies | jump to latest

My neighbor and his wife attended one of Ellen's shows recently. Ellen was perfectly nice and my neighbors enjoyed the show, no harsh criticism here. The were however amused by the "diversity patrol". The audience couldn't simply sit where they want. People were given strict instructions where to sit, based on their race. The producers wanted some kind of forced racial harmony, because it looks good for the camera, etc. I have no problem with sitting next to whomever. I have friends of all races, and I always date outside of my race...I just don't understand the need to force it. Nonetheless, audience members who were overweight or considered unattractive were instructed to sit off to the side, out of the cameras' view. I have to laugh at this. Hollywood is so PC and inclusive...except for fat and "unattractive" people.

[–] Taco_Lips 8 years ago

I have heard this before multiple times over the years, but why no one ever acknowledges it, is beyond me! This happened to some lesbian friends of mine who got tickets for a taping.

The ones who appeared more 'butch' and masculine/androgynous were literally placed in the far back dark corners, never to be seen on camera! While the lipstick femme lesbians were able to sit more in the middle and were seen on camera a few times, simply because they looked "normal"..(for lack of a better word, I hate that word!)

It doesn't surprise me, and I do think it's very wrong, and she definitely knows about it! But you literally can't say even say the truth, because people will jump down your throat about her because she's considered untouchable and never ever wrong.

Riddle wrapped inside an enigma, wrapped inside a taco.

[–] gibsonx131 8 years ago

It seems that they have the same bias that they claim to be against. It shouldn't matter what the audience looks like. I would think Ellen would be "pro Lesbian"...she isn't though. They also have some kind of director instructing people when to clap and cheer; that's a given though.

[–] Taco_Lips 8 years ago

I've personally seen her distance herself from the lesbian community, and even just 'regular people' more and more over the years. As well as defy a lot of her own beliefs, simply to make a buck.

The "Lifestyle Brand" where she is selling herself and everything she touches as a brand is really quite tacky and a prime example of this, but no one says a thing about it. If anything she gets full support from doing it, where other celebs get vilified. I am surprised time and time again that she never gets called out on this.

No one ever mentions these products are made in China by people who don't get a good wage or working conditions, or that they use leather and wool (again probably sourced unethically) despite her saying she's vegan and supports animal rights. Doesn't care that they have outrageous price tags on these items; despite being made so cheaply, either. (I mean she literally wants $38 for a thin crew-neck shirt!)

She literally doesn't care if a make-up company does animal testing. Thinks nothing of putting her face on slot machines, either. I've seen other celebs get far more outcry for far less.

I've come to the conclusion her persona is very carefully crafted these days, and is designed to appeal to the majority of consumerist upper/middle class straight white women who can spend their husbands money on her latest lines of homewares, gifts, jewellery and clothes. Even teaming up with other unethical corporations like PetSmart and GAP to get in more revenue.

She's honestly not as 'down to earth' as people thinks she is.

I could definitely go on about it, but it's funny how whenever you say anything remotely negative about her, the posts usually disappear... OR you're met with her die-hard fans defending her to the deaths despite showing them evidence of her complete and utter hypocrisy and double standards.

Riddle wrapped inside an enigma, wrapped inside a taco.

[–] gibsonx131 8 years ago

Ellen is worth almost 1/2 billion dollars. I guess that is part of the reason for selling out to the status quo. I don't know enough about her to say much. It seems like they are trying to make her the next Oprah.

[–] DontTouchtheWatch 8 years ago

Hollywood is so PC and inclusive...except for fat and "unattractive" people.

This is really, sadly, nothing new and hardly exclusive to The Ellen Show. And I'd bet it isn't at her specific direction and comes more from the producers and network honchos who want things to look a certain way on camera when they pan to the audience. But there have been numerous people who don't fit the Hollywood standards of beauty on as guests, regular people and celebs alike.

[–] [email protected] (5519) 7 years ago

This is interesting. Years ago my sister and some friends went to New York City. They had tickets for a few daytime talk shows.

She said that they were instructed to clap really hard and cheer (every time , after each commercial break). The audience was supposed to show a lot of enthusiasm for the guest whether they felt it or not!

It seems hard to believe, but the audience is orchestrated to behave a certain way. So I am not surprised that they decide on how the audience should "look".